Combination air conditioner-convector



Aug. 25, 1959 A. B. MoDlNE 2,901,226

COMBINATION AIR CONDITIONER-CONVECTOR Filed Sept. 27, 1957 2,901,226Patented Aug. 25, 1959 tice COMBINATION AIR CONDITIONER-CONVECTOR ArthurB. Modine, Racine, Wis., assignor to Medine Manufacturing Co., Racine,Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application September 27, 1957, SerialNo. 686,733

6 Claims. (Cl. 257-300) The invention relates generally to heat exchangestructures and more particularly to a heating or cooling structure forenclosures and the like.

The use of convector structures which utilize the air flow resultingfrom convection is well known and in like manner heating and coolingstructures utilizing forced iiow air are in common use. The presentinvention is directed to a structure which may utilize either convectionor forced air flow as may be desired, as for example, utilizingconvection for heating functions and forced flow for heating or coolingfunctions.

The present invention therefore has among its objects the production ofa heat exchange structure which is pro vided with means enabling its useas a convector or as a power actuated unit, the structure being sodesigned that it may be readily adjusted for either type of operation.

Another object of the invention is the production of a heat exchangestructure having the above features, which may be provided with an airIilter for forced air operation, the structure being so designed that afree air flow path is provided when the device is to be employed forconvection operation, and which if desired may be provided with meanswhich will prevent attempted operation as a convector or power unituntil properly adjusted for the desired operation.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a heatexchange structure in which the adjustment of the damper structure andfilter element may be effected simultaneously, thereby insuring thatboth are in the proper position for the desired operation, and in whichthe means for preventing attempted operation by convection may beactuated by the damper structure.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a heatexchange structure in which means may be provided for eiiicientlycooling the motor when the device is on power operation.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown anddescribed Will be obvious to those skilled in the art from thedisclosure herein given.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts:

Fig. l a front elevational View of a heat exchange structure embodyingthe invention, with portions of the structure broken away to showdetails thereof; and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig.l, with other portions of the structure broken away to show the detailsof the motor compartment.

The present invention contemplates the utilization of a cabinetstructure, somewhat similar to that employed in the usual convector orpower unit, which may be provided with a heat exchange unit adjacent anair inlet opening at or near the bottom of the cabinet structure and anair outlet opening adjacent the upper portion of the structure forming aconvection stack or duct, whereby air passing through the inlet and theheat exchange structure, upon being heated, will rise and be dischargedfrom the is also made for moving air by means of a. suitable poweractuated structure through the air inlet and heat exchange unit, anddischarged from a second air discharge opening suitably located in thecabinet structure, that illustrated being positioned in the upperportion of the cabinet above the air discharge outlet for the convectorstructure. It is also contemplated to provide air filtering means foruse when the structure is operated as a power unit, the constructionbeing such that a suitable unrestricted air inlet opening is providedfor convector operation, this opening in the embodiment illustrated,being obtained by moving the air filter to a position whereby at least aportion of the air inlet is not obstructed by the filter.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 indicates generally acabinet structure having a front wall 2, a rear wall 3, side walls 4 anda top wall 5, the latter having an inclined front portion 6.

The front wall 2 may be provided with an air inlet indicated generallyby the numeral 7, across which extend louvers 8, the latter beingillustrated as divided into two series by a vertically extending centralportion 9. Extending substantially from side wall to side wall 4 andacross the inlet opening 7 is a heat exchange structure indicatedgenerally by the numeral 11, the structure generally being a common typehaving a fluid conducting tube 12 bent back and forth upon itself toform a plurality of parallelly extending coils arranged in a commonplane and provided with a plurality of transversely extending fins 13,the exchange structure being provided with suitably supported end plates14 adapted to engage upper and lower brackets 15 carried by each sidewall 4 of the cabinet and by means of which the heat exchange structure11 may be operatively supported.

In use the heat exchange element 11 may be operative` 1y connected atits ends 16 and 17 to a suitable fluid source, as for example, steam orhot water in the case of heating, or chilled water or brine in the caseof cooling. While the connections 16 and 17 of the heat exchanger 11 areillustrated as being positioned at opposite sides of the structure,obviously the structure 11 may be so designed as to bring the inlet andoutlet thereof at any suitable point on the device. Likewise, anysuitable type of heat exchange structure may be employed in conjunctionwith any suitable type of means for supporting the same in the cabinetstructure. As illustrated, a suitable condensate tray 18 may be providedbelow the heat exchange structure 11 in which condensate from thelatter, in the event the device is used for cooling, may be collected,the tray 18 being accessible from the front of the structure to permitready removal and emptying of the tray when desired.

Positioned adjacent the top of the cabinet structure is a pair ofsuitable blowers indicated generally by the numeral 19, having housingscrolls 21 positioned at opposite sides of a suitable power source suchas a motor 22, which is provided with a double ended drive shaft 23carrying blower fans 24 thereon. The scrolls 21 may be provided withsuitable air inlet openings 25 and air discharge openings 26, theinclined portion 6 of the top wall of the cabinet being provided withtwo sets of louvers 27 through which air may be discharged from theoutlets 26 of the blowers.

Positioned in the cabinet adjacent the blowers 19 is a damper elementindicated generally by the numeral 28, which may be pivoted on ahorizontal axis by suitable means such as hinge structures 29,illustrated as being supported by the blower scrolls 21. The front wall2 of the cabinet may also be provided with a pair of disp chargeopenings 31, having cooperable closure or damper members 32 by means ofwhich the effective size of the discharge opening may be varied, themembers 32 being discharge opening adjacent the top of the unit.Provision pivoted on horizontal axes positioned above the openings j 3by suitable means such as hinge elements` 33 suitably carried by thefront wall 2.

When the structure is to be used for power operation, the, damper memberl28 may 'be positioned as illustrated in Fig. 2 ,to form a 'generallyvertically extending front wall for the duct or passage operativelyconnecting the heat exchange element 11 with the blowers 19, and whenthe, damper 28 is positioned as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2,the duct to the blowers 19 will be closed and the heat exchange element11 will be operatively connected with the discharge openings 31, so thatupon rotation ofthe closure members or dampers 32 to the posi tionillustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, a convection current may becreated through the air inlet 17 land exchanger 11, the heated air beingdischarged through the openings 31, the amount of Vair discharged beingcontrlled by the position of the closure members or dampers 32.

While it is desirable to 'provide air filtering means for poweroperation, when utilized for convection operation, even a low resistanceair filter will usually sufficiently restrict air flow through vthedevice to materially reduce the heat exchange eliiciency vof theconvection structure. In the present construction an air filter 35 'maybe provided, the latter being illustrated as supported on a suitableframe member 36 which is slidablycarried in guide members 3 7 disposedadjacent each `side wall 4 so that the filter may 'be positioned asillustrated in Fig. 2 or moved to a raised or elevated position toprovide an unrestricted air inlet adjacent the bottom of the cabinet.While the unrestricted opening Vcould Ybe obtained by providingadditional inlet means which would render movement of the filterunnecessary, the movable lter achieves the desired result in a compact,simple structure.

As it is desirable to always raise the filter when the device is to beused as a convector unit, and in which case the damper 28 should bepositioned as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the air iilter anddamper may be simultaneously actuated by common means which, in theembodiment illustrated, comprises a handle or knob 38 suitably securedto the frame 36 and adapted totravel Iin a 'slot 39 in the centralportion 9 of thefront wall '2, the frame 36 being operatively connectedto the damper '28 through al movable link 41 pivotally connected at itsends by suitable brackets 42 and 43 to the damper 28 and'fr'ame 36respectively. Thus by actuating thehandle `38 'to elevate the filter 35,the damper 28 `will be simul taneously'moved from the'positionillustrated in Fig. 2 'to the'dotted position therein illustrated, andreverse lmovement will return the elements to theirpositions illustratedin Fig. 2.

To eliminate any possibility of an `attempt to operate the structure asavconvector unit, by opening the dampers 32, but inadvertently failingto properly shift the damper '28 and air filter `35,*a suitableinterlock between the damper 28 and dampers 32 may be provided. Suchmeans, inthe embodiment illustrated, comprises a pair of stop members 44suitably mounted on the damper 28 and adapted to extend to adjacent'thelower portion of respective 'damper members 32, when the damper 28 is inthe position illustrated in Fig. 2for power operation, whereby the'members44 prevent vopening of the dampers 32. Consequently whenit isdesired to operate the unit as a convector, it is rst necessary to shiftthe filter 35 the'daniper 28 in order topermit the operator to open thedamper members 32. As will be apparent from `a reference'to Fig. 2, thestop members 44, vwhen' the damper 28 is in convector position, arepositioned out of the path of the damper members 32 and are thusinoperativeto restrict movement of the latter.

"The mot'o1122 may be suitably controlled, as for example, yby lmeans ofa switch 45 having an actuating knob 46,. illustrated7 asrbeingpositioned adjacent the inclined portion`6 ofthe top wall of thecabinet. However, 'if

4 desired other means, as for example, thermostatic elements may beutilized to control the operation of the device.

In some cases it may be desirable to provide means for effectingadequate cooling of the motor 22, the latter being illustrated assuitably shielded by baffle means, as for example, a bottom wall 47,front wall 48, inclined top wall 49 and side walls 51 cooperable withadjacent portions of the top wall 5 and rear wall 3 to form a motorcompartment. Suitable ventilation of the motor compartment may beprovided, as for example, by forming suitable air inlets 52 and airdischarge outlets 53 in the walls of the motor compartment, the openings52 being formed in the rear wall 3 and the discharge openings 53 in theinclined wall 49. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the walls of the blowerscrolls 21 adjacent the motor compartment may be cut away as indicatedat 54, whereby the iiow of air being Vdischarged from the blowers willtend to inspirate air ow through the openings 53, creating an aircurrent through the motor compartment.

Obviously the air ducts into and out of the motor compartment may besuitably constructed and arranged other than in the rear wall and topwall, depending upon particular applications. Likewise, various types ofblower arrangements, as for example, fan structures, etc. might beemployed in particular applications.

If desired, operation of the motor 'and blowers `may be prevented, whenthe device is operated as a convector unit, such means in the embodimentillustrated, comprises a suitable switch 55 suitably mounted on the rearwall 3 and having an actuating 'button 56 extending into the cabinet,the switch 55 being so positioned that the damper 28 will operativelyengage the .button 56 and actuate the switch 55, when the damper ispositioned for convectoroperlation'as illustrated in dotted lines inFig. 2, the switch 55 being adapted t'o be operatively connectedintorthe motor circuit to open the latter when the device is beingoperated as a convector, thereby eliminating improper operation of theswitch "45 and themotor during such convector operation, or attemptedpower operation when the damper 28 is adjusted forconvector operation.

lIt will be noted from the above description 'that -I have provided acombination convector `and power operated heat exchange structure whichis relatively simple in construction, efficient in operation, and whichmay be so designed that it is fool-proof in operation and usage.

-Having thus described my inventiomit will be obvious that variousimmaterial modifications :may be mad'e in the same withoutdeparting'from'the spirit of'my 'invention; hence vI do not wish to be -understood'aslimiting myself to'theexact form,construction, arrangementandcombination of parts :herein shown v'and described or uses mentioned.

What I` claim 'as `new anddesire to lsecure by Letters Patent is:

l. A combination heatexchanger for convection'or forced air operation,comprising acabinet'having van air inlet adjacent the bottom thereofandan airoutlet'positioned Vabove said' inlet, aheat exchange elementoperatively positioned'intermediate said air inletand said air outlet,power actuatedblower means positioned in said cabinet having an airinlet communicatingwith'the interior of the cabinetstructure andprovidedwithanair outlet arranged to discharge air from the cabinet,'means fordirecting the iiow of air entering the air inlet opening to either saidair outlet or the air inlet'of saidblower means, an air filter of asizeto be interposed acrossthe path of air entering said air'inletopening'operativeto filter such air, means for supporting said filterwithin the cabinet formovement therein from a filtering position to aninoperative position out of the` path of air entering said cabinet toprovide an 'air iiow path unimpeded by such filter, means accessiblefrom the cabinetexterior 'for effecting movementV ofisaid filter fromone to the other of said positions, and means bperativelylconnectedtosaid filter for preventing said directing means from directing airthrough said air outlet in the cabinet while said filter is in saidfiltering position.

2. A combination heat exchanger for convection or forced air operation,comprising a cabinet having an air inlet adjacent the bottom thereof andan air outlet positioned above said inlet, a heat exchange elementoperatively positioned intermediate said air inlet and said air outlet,power actuated blower means positioned in said cabinet having an airinlet communicating with the interior of the cabinet structure andprovided with an air outlet arranged to discharge air from the cabinet,an air lter structure adapted'to operatively extend across the air inletof said cabinet, said iilter structure being movable to expose a portionof said inlet and provide a free air path into said cabinet forconvector operation, a movable damper structure carried by said cabinetand operatively interposed between the air outlet in the cabinet and theair inlet of said blower means, said damper structure being selectivelymovable to operatively extend between said heat exchange element andsaid cabinet air outlet to restrict air flow through the latter anddirect air passing through the heat exchange element into said lowerinlet or to direct such last mentioned' air through said cabinet airoutlet and operatively close the lower inlet, means operativelyconnecting said lilter and damper structures for preventing the latterfrom directing air through said cabinet outlet when said lter structureis in position to filter the air passing through the cabinet air inlet,and means operatively connected to said filter and damper structuresaccessible from the cabinet exterior for effecting movement of suchstructures to their respective positions.

3. A heat exchange structure as defined in claim Z,

comprising a cabinet having a second' air outlet therein through whichsaid blower discharges, a closure structure supported by said cabinetand movable to close said first mentioned air outlet or permit the flowof air there through, and closure restricting means associated with saiddamper and closure structures for preventing movement of the latter toan open position when said damper structure is in a position to directair .into said blower inlet.

4. A heat exchange structure as delined in claim 3, wherein said closurerestricting means associated with said closure and damper structurescomprises a closure restricting member operatively carried by one ofsuch structures and engageable with the other to prevent undesiredopening movement of said closure structure.

5. A heat exchange structure as deiined in claim 4, wherein said closurerestricting member is carried by said damper structure.

6. A heat exchange structure as defined in claim 2, wherein switch meansoperative to control said power actuated blower means is operativelyrelated to said damper and actuatable by the movement of said damper torender said power actuated blower means inoperable when said damper isin position for convection operation.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,668,537 Lurken May 1, 1928 1,998,273 Davis et al. Apr. 16, 19352,157,307 Savage May 9, 1939 2,553,512 Cotton May 15, 1951 2,637,532Baker May 5, 1953

